Danish frigates lack weapons

The Danish frigates lack weapons to defend themselves. The frigates will soon be equipped with new radar for missile defense, and thus they may become targets for Russian missiles, warns Russia's ambassador in Denmark, Mikhail Vanin. But they will not be equipped with the associated weapons.

"The Russian ambassador's threat is an example of the reality in Denmark is entering, if we become part of NATO's missile defense," says Henrik Ø. Breitenbauch, head of the Center for Military Studies at the University of Copenhagen.

The Russian threat came a few months after the Navy pledged to contribute with radars on at least one of the Navy's frigates in the Iver Huitfeldt class. The problem is just that the Danish frigates have never been equipped with the air defense, which they were built for.

Last year, Chief of Defence Peter Bartram compiled a list of requirements in the coming years, and the so-called SM2 missiles are top of the list. Rear Admiral and Chief of the Defence Academy, Nils Wang has previously said on the matter:

"If we leave the frigates only to defend themselves with their own defense, it is equivalent to buying a Maserati and only have a liability insurance, but no comprehensive insurance".

The Navy has three frigates, Iver Huitfeldt, Peter Willemoes and Niels Juel, all based in Korsør.